Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1)

by Lori Wick

  Rigg watched Kaitlin in silence, as did Sean and Marcail. When she stopped by Sean's chair and finally looked at Rigg, he spoke.

  "You don't have to tell me right now what you want to do. But think about your options; there are advantages to both. Here you have everything you need but you'd have to relocate when school was out. The little house is more work because you're starting with nothing, but it might feel more like your own home and you won't have to move."

  Kaitlin could only nod, understanding his logic but unable to fully concentrate with him in the room. She was silent for a long time.

  "Have I upset you?" Rigg's voice was deep and soft, his gaze watchful.

  "No," Kaitlin wished she didn't sound so breathless. "I'm just surprised and not sure what to do."

  "I can understand that. You're more than welcome to stay here and discuss it." His look encompassed Sean and Marcail too. "I need to get to the store, it's nearly eight." He stood up and continued, "In fact, why don't you come down to the store today? It's the one you pass when you go from Burt Kemp's office to the schoolhouse. If I don't see you, well, just come up the stairs to my office."

  Rigg left and Kaitlin felt like she'd been mowed down by a runaway stage. Marshall Riggs could be a bit highhanded, but he was also compassionate and kind. Kate couldn't believe he had actually suggested that they gather their things and land themselves at the door of the Taylor home.

  Well, they had to do something; but what that something was to be, at the moment, she didn't have a clue.

  nineteen

  Kate took a two hour nap on Sean's bed and by tenthirty she was refreshed and headed with her family to Riggs Mercantile. It was easy to find and one of the nicest stores she'd seen.

  Large windows faced the street and the front doors were open wide. A variety of sights and smells assailed their senses, as they walked through those doorsleather goods, paint, bolts of new cloth and ready-towear clothing, the apple bin, a pickle barrel-Kaitlin tried to encompass everything.

  Things were fairly quiet and Kaitlin took her time touring the aisles where high shelves were stocked with canned foods, sewing supplies, cooking utensils, pots, pans. And again it was almost too much to absorb.

  Sean had gone off to find Rigg and Kate assumed Marcail was beside her as she looked at the wall full of beautiful bolts of cloth. Kaitlin was fingering a lovely blue gingham when a commotion started out front. She had no interest in the problem but it caused her to notice that Marcail was no longer at her side.

  Looking calmly, then frantically down the aisles Kate then ran to the door. A crowd gathered and a woman's high voice, raised to almost an hysterical note, was accusing someone of stealing her handbag. Not until the woman shouted, "I tell you she stole it!" did Kate see Marcail being held by a man in uniform. Her heart leapt to her throat as she rushed on the scene.

  "Where is it?"

  Marcail's upper arm was being held by a short, square built man in a black law officer's uniform. The little girl's feet were nearly dangling due to the angle at which he was holding her. Every so often he gave her a shake.

  "You'll tell us who you are right now. Where are you from? Who're your folks?" Each sentence was punctuated with a shake that was none too gentle and would have gone on all morning if Kaitlin's voice, so hurt and distressed, had not gained the attention of the officer.

  "Please, you're hurting her."

  The officer, who took his job very seriously, looked from this beautiful young woman addressing him to the child in his grip and slowly released her. Deep shame for his actions was bitter in his mouth as he realized that he'd let a screaming woman cloud his good judgment and that he had hurt a child. He had children of his own at home and he'd have challenged any man who dared to do what he'd just done.

  When Marcail felt his hold loosen she ran into Kaitlin's embrace. Kate pulled her close and then watched in alarm as her little hand came up to cover her mouth. Rigg came on the scene just as Kate was holding Marcail at the edge of the boardwalk so she could vomit into the street.

  There was some conversation behind Kate but the crowd had quieted. That a man had come forward, proclaiming Marcail's innocence and claiming to have witnessed the whole episode, Kate was not to know until later. She turned, seeing no one but the officer and spoke directly to him in a shaky voice.

  "I'm sure there has been some mistake. My sister would never take something that didn't belong to her. I'm taking her home now."

  His voice was a bit strained as he said, "That will be fine, miss."

  Kate held her sister in her arms and was nearly to the house when Sean caught up to them. Once inside, she gave her sister a dipper of water and then held her as tears streamed silently down her face. She was so upset she vomited again.

  "It's all right, Marc," Kate crooned softly, as she cleaned her up and tried not to be sick herself. "We know you didn't take anything. It was all a big misunderstanding."

  Marcail sat trembling in Kate's lap when someone knocked at the door. Rigg and Jeff were standing there.

  "Is she all right?" Rigg wanted to know straight away.

  "I think so," Sean answered.

  Jeff and Sean watched in silence as Rigg knelt down next to Kate's chair and spoke to Marcail. "You're kind of young to be in trouble with the law," he teased softly.

  "I didn't take her purse," Marcail hiccuped.

  "Of course you didn't. There was a man on the street who saw the whole thing, came forward and said it was some boy. Did you see a boy, Marcail?"

  "No," she answered with some surprise.

  "That's all right."

  "Is that man going to come and take me away?" Her voice shook and Kate spoke with more confidence than she felt.

  "I wouldn't let that happen, Marcail."

  They talked a little longer and then Rigg took the frightened nine-year-old into his arms. Kate was a little surprised at how easily she went and watched her sister cling to the big man. He stood and spoke down to Kaitlin where she sat.

  "I want you to collect your things now, Katie." Kaitlin was too surprised to notice his use of her name. "Sean can help you get everything, even your laundry. You and Marcail are going to my folks'."

  "I really don't think it's your place, Mr. Riggs, to order us about." Kate had stood suddenly and was looking like an angry hen guarding her chicks. She opened her mouth to say more but Rigg, holding Marcail with one arm, reached with his free hand and cupped her chin.

  "Marcail is so upset she's trembling in my arms." His eyes held hers with steely determination, his voice equally resolute. 'And you're white as a sheet and look ready to collapse. Not to mention, there is absolutely nothing in this house to eat or to eat with. Now gather your things, Kaitlin, because you and Marcail are going to my folks'."

  His hand slipped to her shoulder until the anger drained from her and she gave a small nod. Kaitlin still believed his actions were rude and overbearing but she was too tired to fight. Aside from all of that, Marcail was more upset than she'd ever been. And that was saying quite a bit in light of all they'd been through in the last several weeks.

  twenty

  At any other time Kaitlin would have been thrilled with the farm on which the Taylors lived. The surrounding land was not owned by the family, but three of the acres, the house and barn were all theirs, including a small wooded area where the creek meandered through.

  It was a wonderful place to grow up, as Rigg or any of the Taylor boys would have told her. There was always something to do as long as the sun was shining. Even on rainy days there was hide-and-seek in the barn, with its hayloft and numerous nooks and crannies.

  Jeff had gone ahead to see his mother at the shipping office and explain to her all that had transpired at the mercantile. That he knew all that had occurred was by sheer accident. He'd simply come to give Rigg some papers at the time of the incident.

  There had been no hesitation or irritation when Jeff told his mother that Rigg was bringing the schoolmarm and her sister to
stay at her house. Normally she would have left it up to Rigg to settle this family, knowing she would meet them at supper, but when Jeff described what had happened with the woman's purse, she dropped what she was doing at the shipping office and had Jeff take her straight home.

  Rigg plucked Marcail off the wagon seat as soon as he'd jumped down and then turned to reach for Kaitlin. Her cool fingertips in his palm made his heart race as he helped her from the wagon. Sean had taken his hat off when he saw a woman approaching and stood quietly, holding it in his hands.

  All three of the children watched Rigg bend low to kiss his mother's cheek before he made the introductions.

  "Mom, this is the Donovan family. Kaitlin is the new schoolteacher. Sean is going to work some evenings and Saturdays for me and this is Marcail. She's nine."

  May Taylor beamed at the children before her. Her hair was liberally shot with gray and the corners of her eyes had many seams, as though smiling was something she did all the time. Her figure was full and the gray eyes, now smiling at everyone with warmth and welcome, were so much like Rigg's it was uncanny.

  "It's so good to meet you, please come in." May was about to say more but she could see that Kate was hesitating.

  "Mrs. Taylor, this is such short notice. Maybe we should come back another time."

  May could see that Rigg was about to step in so she lightly touched his arm to stop him.

  v"I promise you, Kaitlin, it's wonderful to have you. God has blessed us with a large home and we've always opened it to anyone who might have a need."

  Kate didn't know what to say to that and actually she didn't have time because Rigg was moving everyone toward the house. May watched her son with some surprise.

  This was far from the first time Rigg had sent someone over to stay. In fact the last time a young woman needed a home there had been quite a misunderstanding. Rigg had spent a few uncomfortable hours explaining that his intentions had not been romantic. But this time, well, May was sure she'd never seen him so determined to see someone stay with his family.

  They had gone in through the back door and Rigg was heading to the back stairway. You could also get upstairs from the living room but since they'd come in at the kitchen, it was the logical way to go.

  Sean headed up first with Marcail behind him. May was given a chance to watch her son, as Kaitlin followed her brother and sister. She had given up believing that she would ever see that special look on Rigg's face. She wondered if he, as yet, could define what he was so obviously feeling. May's eyes swung to the spot that Kaitlin had just vacated on the stairs. Rigg was a wonderful man and May, not knowing her, couldn't help but wonder if Kaitlin Donovan was worthy of him.

  Kate sank down into the bathtub with a heartfelt sigh. It didn't matter that it was Friday afternoon and not Saturday night; the water felt heavenly.

  Kaitlin sat up and looked around the room. It was just off the kitchen and below the back stairway. By the size it had obviously been a storeroom, but someone had ingeniously converted it into a bathing chamber. The tub that Kate sat in was against one wall and from where she was facing she could see the stove on which the water had been heated. A huge pot was still in the middle of it, steam rising from the hot water within. There was a commode and even a bench to sit on. Kate relaxed a little deeper into the water and decided it was the most wonderful room she'd been in.

  Coming downstairs from her bedroom, an hour later, Kaitlin was very self-conscious of her wet hair. But the only people in the kitchen were Sean, Marcail, May and a young man that Kate didn't remember seeing before, but thought he had to be Jeff's brother.

  "Feeling better?" May wanted to know.

  "Much. Thank you."

  "Sit down here and have some lunch. Nathan, this is Miss Donovan, your new teacher."

  "Hello."

  "Hello, Nathan." Kaitlin smiled kindly and watched as Nate blushed to the roots of his hair. She took pity on him and turned her attention to the plate that May had set in front of her. Kate made short work of a slice of beef, potatoes, sliced carrots and a large helping of applesauce.

  Marcail was sitting near her with a cookie in her hand and the other people in the room were talking about the farm. Kate, not wanting to embarrass her sister, spoke to her in soft Hawaiian.

  "How are you doing?"

  "I'm okay."

  "If you want, I can fix you a bath. Believe me, it felt wonderful."

  "That sounds nice." Tears came to the young girl's eyes. "Katie, I hate it when I get sick to my stomach."

  "I know you do." Kate reached a hand over and stroked her sister's hair. "But I think your way might be easier, you know, just to get sick and get it over with. I hold things inside and then they bother me a lot longer."

  Sean had heard part of the conversation and turned without thinking away from May and Nathan to ask his sister a question. The Taylors would have thought nothing of this at most times, but the Donovan children all continued to speak in a foreign tongue, completely forgetting they were not alone.

  "Katie, did you have a chance to get writing materials to write to Father?"

  "No. I've got to take care of that soon. Actually Sean, tomorrow is your first day at the mercantile, maybe you could just take our dollar and see what you could find. Maybe Mr. Riggs can show you what he's got. We could write tomorrow night and mail it before school Monday."

  "Okay. How are you doing Marc?"

  "I'm fine. I'm going to have a bath and change my dress."

  "You don't smell very good," Sean teased her with a smile. Marcail had just made a face at him when they became aware of their audience.

  "Mrs. Taylor," Kaitlin was red-faced and ashamed as she quickly changed to English. "You're going to think that we haven't any manners at all. Please forgive us."

  "You've done nothing that needs forgiving. I only hope if something is wrong you'll let me-help."-

  "I was just asking Marcail how she's doing and if she wanted to clean up."

  "We also need to write letters," Sean added, sensing a genuine offer of help from this woman.

  "No problem. Why don't you come with me, Marcail, and we'll see about your bath. And Nate can show you where you can write your letters."

  May certainly had a gift for hospitality. She was so matter-of-fact about everything that no one was given a chance to feel like an intruder.

  May disappeared with her littlest house guest and Nate showed Kate and Sean to a desk that satin the huge living room. Kate took a seat and tried to gather her damp hair to lay it over one shoulder. She certainly hoped the rest of the young men in her class wouldn't stare at her as Nathan was doing.

  But in a few moments she was oblivious to everything but the paper in front of her. She was rather glad she wasn't going to be there to see her father's face when he found out why they'd left San Francisco.

  twenty-one

  May's heart, which had begun to melt when she met Marcail Donovan, was now a puddle in her soul. She was the sweetest little girl she'd ever known. May guessed that her bone structure was very small by looking at her face, but when Marcail undressed, bone structure was the last thing on May's mind.

  There was a bruise, gigantic and already black, nearly covering the little girl's upper arm and spreading across her shoulder. May saw that she was safely in the tub and then had to force herself to walk to find Kaitlin. She found her at the desk.

  "Kaitlin?" Kate looked up from her letter in expectation.

  "Marcail has a huge bruise on her arm. I've never seen one so bad. Maybe I should send for the doctor?"

  Kate came to her feet. "I'll look at it, Mrs. Taylor, but I think you should know that Marc bruises easily and that man, well he had quite a hold on her."

  May could only nod her head as she visualized Marcail being hurt. "Would you like me to stay here?" she asked when Kate rose from the desk.

  "No, you can come. You could have talked with Marcail about it, she's had them before."

  The women walked through the
kitchen and Kate knocked gently before entering.

  "Hi, Marc. How's it going?"

  "Fine."

  "You gave Mrs. Taylor a -scare."

  Marcail looked at the older woman in surprise.

  "Your bruise," Katie informed her.

  "Oh, it doesn't hurt unless I press on it."

  May looked instantly relieved and said with a small laugh that she had been ready to get a doctor. The smile left Marcail's face and she nearly came out of the tub. Kate didn't miss her panic.

  "It's all right, Marc. She was only kidding."

  "I'm sorry, Honey," May said quickly. "I wouldn't do anything without asking Kaitlin first."

  The little girl nodded and looked uncertainly at her sister. Kaitlin smiled. She figured something like this might happen remembering the hard time Marcail had with Dr. Weston in San Francisco.

  Kate took her leave a minute later in order to finish her letter. Sean and Nate had been in the living room the entire time she was writing and Kate was pleased at how well they were getting along. Sean needed a friend.

  "How's the letter coming, Katie?" her brother wanted to know as she came back into the room.

  "Pretty good. Why don't you read what I've got?"

  Brother and sister traded chairs and Kate found herself once again scrutinized. She tried to ignore it.

  "How old are you, Nathan?"

  "Fifteen."

  "You're tall for 15. Do you like school?"

  "Most of the time."

  Kate grinned. "That was an honest answer."

  Nathan grinned back, turning only a little bit red this time. Sean spoke from the desk. "I added a little to what you have Katie. Are you going to tell Father about what happened today?"

  "I don't know. I don't want him to worry about us because I really do think Marc's going to be fine. What do you think?"

  "I'd leave it out," Sean said and then thought, Father is going to be upset enough when he finds out why we left San Francisco.